Apparatus for dispensing and/or vending a bulk product

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for dispensing and/or vending a bulk product. The apparatus comprises one or more bins for holding a bulk product, a dispensing mechanism operatively coupled to each of the bins, a controller operatively coupled to the dispensing mechanisms, and an interface for receiving a request for one of the bulk products. The controller is operatively coupled to the interface and configured to generate one or more control signals in response to a request for controlling the dispensing mechanism to dispense one of the bulk products.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation under 35 U.S.C. §120 of U.S.application Ser. No. 12/126,412, filed May 23, 2008, the entire contentof which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to vending and dispensing equipment, andmore particularly, to vending/dispensing apparatus for bulk productswhere the quantity of the product to be dispensed is specified by acustomer at the time of purchase or selection.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Purchasing products in bulk form has become an acceptable type ofpurchase by consumers. This is evidenced by the range of bulk productsoffered for sale in a variety of settings, such as for example, grocerystores, coffee stores, pet food stores and candy stores.

Bulk purchases of a product are made either by weighing the product,which is taken from a storage bin, or by buying a package containing apredetermined amount of bulk product, in food stores or the bulk foodsection of grocery stores. The purchase is completed with a cashierusing a cash register. It will be appreciated that this limits thelocations and times when a product can be purchased in bulk, which inturn can present a convenience obstacle for the consumer.

In the case of candy manufacturers, when a product is sold inpre-packaged form labeled with the manufacturer's brand, it isdistributed by the manufacturer mainly through point-of-sale outlets.Many candy manufacturers can also supply product in bulk, but aretypically limited to selling predetermined quantities of bulk productbecause of distribution and packaging considerations. For example,candies can be purchased three different ways: in pre-packaged formunder the manufacturer label, in bulk form from a vending machine, or inbulk form from an open bin in a grocery store or bulk food store.

In many cases the bulk bins used to store the products offered aresusceptible to contamination, shrinkage and spilling, which can befurther exacerbated by consumers reaching into the bin with their handsto gather or sample the product before purchase. It is conceivable thatthe vendor may be put at risk or incur liability. Furthermore, evenwhere recently available bulk gravity bins have been implemented toensure sanitation, the dispensing mechanisms are not able to dispenseproducts in measured quantities.

Where dry bulk products are acquired in larger quantities there istypically a need to employ staff to measure, weigh, determine a final orsale price and collect money from the customer. The overhead costassociated with supplying the equipment and employing staff issignificantly more than if the acquisition process was an unmannedautomated process.

In most cases where bulk products are sold, the customer must “guess”the weight and the corresponding cost of the purchase which may or maynot be close to the weight the customer actually desires or the amountof money the customers actually wants to spend on the purchase. Even incases where weigh scales are available in the store, the customer mustperform the iterative task of dispensing, weighing, adding or removingproduct, re-weighing, etc. until the desired amount of product or costis determined.

In the case where products are sold through automated bulk vendingequipment, the vendor is limited to selling product using a fixed priceand a smaller, fixed vend quantity. The customer typically inserts acoin (token or paper currency) and a fixed quantity is dispensed.Currently available automated equipment therefore does not allow thecustomer to specify the amount of product desired, e.g. based on weight,product count or value. In addition, automated vending equipment islimited to dispensing only uniform products that are hard-coated and notsubject to “sticking” together because of warm or humid conditions.

In summary, the sale of bulk foods tends to be costly, restrictive andnot customer friendly in large part due to limitations of known bulkstorage and dispensing technology. Accordingly, there remains a need forimprovements in the art.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a system and a method for dispensingand/or vending a product stored in bulk, wherein the quantity of theproduct is specified or determined by a consumer according to weightand/or dollar value. According to another aspect, the consumer isprovided with both cash or cashless payment options for purchasing thedesired quantity or volume of the product.

According to one aspect, there is provided an apparatus for dispensingand/or vending a bulk product, wherein the quantity of the product beingdispensed and/or purchased is specified by a user or consumer in weightand/or dollar value.

According to another aspect, there is provided a process for dispensingand/or vending an exact or an approximate quantity of a bulk product,wherein the process is controlled by a user or consumer, and the exactor approximate quantity of bulk product is specified by the consumer.According to another aspect, the specified quantity of the product ispurchased by the consumer without the need for intervention and/orinstruction from a sales person or clerk.

According to another aspect, there is provided a system for dispensing abulk product, the system comprises: one or more bins, each for holding abulk product; an interface for receiving a user request for one of thebulk products; a controller for dispensing the requested bulk productfrom the associated bin in an amount based on the user request.

According to another aspect, there is provided a method for dispensingbulk products from one or more bins, the method comprises the steps of:receiving a bulk product selection from a user; receiving a bulk productdispensing amount from the user; enabling the bin containing theselected bulk product; and dispensing the selected bulk product from theenabled bin in the amount specified by the user.

According to another aspect, there is provided a system for dispensing abulk product, the system comprises: a controller, the controllerincludes a user interface; one or more bins, each for holding a type ofbulk product, and each of the bins including a control unit; acommunication bus for communicatively coupling the controller with thecontrol units of each of the bins; the controller being responsive to aninput from a user and generating one or more control commands fordispensing an amount of bulk product from one of the bins, wherein thedispensed amount is based on the user input.

According to another aspect, there is provided an apparatus fordispensing one or more bulk products, the bulk products being containedin one or more bins, each of the bins including a dispensing mechanismand the dispensing mechanism being operatively coupled to a controller,the apparatus comprises: an interface configured for receiving a userrequest for one of the bulk products and generating one or more signalsrepresentative of the user request; a control unit operatively coupledto the interface for receiving the one or more representative signals,and the control unit being configured for generating one or morecontrols signals based on the one or more representative signals; thecontrol unit including an interface for operatively coupling to the oneor more controllers and being configured for sending one or more controlsignals to one or more of the controllers; and the one or morecontrollers being responsive to the one or more control signals todispense the bulk product from the bin based on the user request.

According to another aspect, there is provided a bin for holding a bulkproduct and suitable for use with a dispensing apparatus, the bincomprises: a housing; a primary baffle for supporting the bulk product,the primary baffle being mounted inside the housing, the primary bafflebeing configured at a downwardly sloping angle, and having an opening ata lower portion; a secondary baffle mounted inside the housing, thesecondary baffle being configured at a downwardly sloping angle andadjacent to the opening; and a lower compartment adjacent the secondarybaffle, the lower compartment having an opening for releasing bulkproduct from the secondary baffle to a dispensing mechanism.

According to another aspect, there is provided a dispensing wheel foruse with a bulk product dispensing apparatus, the dispensing wheelcomprises: an outer rim; a longitudinal member across the rim andincluding a hub; the outer rim having a plurality of slots for receivingone end of a partition member; and the hub having a plurality of slotsfor receiving another end of the partition member.

According to another aspect, there is provided a container droppersuitable for use with a bulk product dispensing apparatus, the containerdropper comprises: a first member having an opening for receiving one ormore containers; a second member supporting at least one auger componentpositioned adjacent to the opening; the at least one auger componentincluding a threaded portion for engaging the one or more containers;and a motor operatively coupled to the at least one auger, and the motorbeing configured for turning the auger in response to one or morecontainer dropper control signals.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential characteristics of the claimed subject matter, nor is itintended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimedsubject matter.

Additional and other features of the invention will be set forth in thedescription which follows, and in part will be obvious from thedescription, or may be learned by the practice of the invention. Thefeatures and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained bymeans of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out inthe appended claims. These and other features of the present inventionwill become more fully apparent from the following description andappended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention asset forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which show, byway of example, embodiments of the present invention, and in which:

FIG. 1 shows in diagrammatic form a dispensing apparatus according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows in flowchart form an exemplary process for a customer topurchase a bulk product from a vending apparatus according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows in diagrammatic form a bin and dispensing mechanism forholding and dispensing a bulk product according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4A shows in flowchart form an exemplary control process executed bya central controller for the vending apparatus;

FIG. 4B shows in flowchart form additional processing steps associatedwith the exemplary control process of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C shows in flowchart form additional processing steps associatedwith the exemplary control process of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A shows in flowchart form an exemplary control process executed bya remote controller for the vending apparatus;

FIG. 5B shows in flowchart form additional processing steps associatedwith the exemplary control process of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5C shows in flowchart form additional processing steps associatedwith the exemplary control process of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6 shows in diagrammatic form the payment options available for thevending apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 shows in diagrammatic form a dispensing apparatus according toanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 shows in diagrammatic form a gravity-fed bin with a dispensingmechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9A shows in diagrammatic form a top view of a cup (container)dropper mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9B shows in diagrammatic from a side view of the cup (container)dropper mechanism of FIG. 9A;

FIG. 10A shows in diagrammatic form an auger for the dropper mechanismof FIGS. 9A and 9B according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10B shows a side view of the auger of FIG. 10A;

FIG. 10C shows another side view of the auger of FIG. 10A;

FIG. 10D shows a bottom view of the auger of FIG. 10A;

FIG. 11A shows in diagrammatic form a dispensing wheel according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11B shows a top view of the dispensing wheel of FIG. 11A;

FIG. 11C shows a side view of the dispensing wheel of FIG. 11A;

FIG. 11D shows a side view of a partition or divider for the dispensingwheel of FIG. 11A;

FIG. 12A shows a top plate and a bottom plate arrangement for thedispensing wheel of FIG. 11 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 12B shows a bottom plate arrangement for the dispensing wheel ofFIG. 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13A shows a side view of a baffle mechanism for a bin according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13B shows a perspective view of the baffle mechanism of FIG. 13A;and

FIG. 13C shows a top view of the baffle mechanism of FIG. 13A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Reference is first made to FIG. 1, which shows a vending and dispensingapparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, andindicated generally by reference 100. As shown, the dispensing andvending apparatus 100 comprises a control panel 110, a payment unit 120,a two-way communication channel or bus 130, and one or more bins 140.The bins 140 are indicated individually by 140 a, 140 b, . . . 140 n. Asshown, each of the bins 140 includes an associated controller or controlunit 150, indicated individually by reference 150 a, 150 b, . . . 150 nin FIG. 1. The bins 140 store product and the number of bins 140 used inan implementation of the apparatus 100 will depend on factors such asthe types and number of the products being offered, the size of theapparatus 100, etc. According to one implementation, the control panel110 and communication bus 130 provides a control/command interface forcoupling 128 of the bins 140. The control unit 150 functions with theassociated bin 140 to dispense an exact or an approximate amount orquantity of product specified in weight, product count and/or dollarvalue by the consumer as will be described in more detail below.According to an embodiment, the apparatus 100 includes a cartondispenser which is responsive to control commands for dispensing acarton or box 102 as described in more detail below.

The control panel 110 is utilized by a user, e.g. a consumer, shopper,customer, etc., to select the product and specify an exact or anapproximate quantity of the product, and then purchase, dispense orotherwise acquire the product, as will be described in more detailbelow. The control panel 110 comprises a main or central controller, akeypad and a display module, or a display module with a touch-screen. Inanother embodiment, the control panel 110 is implemented in the form ofa voice-activated device and a display device. The control panel 110 isresponsive to inputs from a customer and generates output data orsignals for an interfacing application 112. The interfacing application112 responds to the inputs from the customer and operates the apparatus100 to dispense or vend the product as will be described in more detailbelow. The interfacing application 112 is implemented in software andcomprises, for example, a stand-alone computer program or softwaremodule or firmware application or function, which is executed by thecontroller to control the interaction between the customer and theapparatus. The functions of the controller and the interfacingapplication are described in more detail below and with reference toFIGS. 4A to 4C. The interfacing application 112 may reside on a deviceor hardware component that is integrated with the control panel 110, forexample, as shown in FIG. 1. In another embodiment, the interfacingdevice 110 comprises a separate device that “talks” or is coupled to thecontrol panel 110 via the communication channel 130.

It will be appreciated that the apparatus 100 according to an embodimentof the present invention can be implemented or function in two ways ormodes: vending mode and dispensing mode. In vending mode, the apparatus100 is implemented as a vending apparatus 100 wherein a user selects aproduct and specifies a quantity (i.e. exactly or approximately byweight and/or dollar value) of the product desired for purchase, and theapparatus 100 dispenses the specified quantity of the product uponreceiving payment. The vending implementation of the apparatus 100 issuitable for commercial applications, such as, grocery stores, bulk foodstores, vending kiosks, etc. In dispensing mode, the apparatus 100 isimplemented as a dispensing apparatus wherein the apparatus 100dispenses the specified quantity of the product selected by the userwithout requiring payment. The dispensing implementation of theapparatus 100 is suitable for non-commercial applications, for example,a private club, a daycare, etc. According to an embodiment, theapparatus 100 is convertible to a dispensing apparatus by disabling thepayment unit 120 and/or the payment function or module in theinterfacing application 112.

In the context of a vending application or implementation, once a userhas selected the product and quantity desired, the apparatus prompts theuser to pay for the purchase using the payment unit 120. The interfacingapplication 112 includes a function or module to calculate the cost ofthe product purchase and the purchase price is displayed for the user oncontrol panel 110. The user pays the purchase price using the paymentunit 120, and the payment unit 120 is implemented to accept as paymentin multiple forms, such as, coins or bills, tokens, smart cards, creditor debit cards, or any combination of these. The tokens may be purchasedfrom a third-party or from a token dispenser (not shown) associated withthe vending apparatus 100. According to one embodiment, the payment unit120 is integrated with the control panel 110. In another embodiment, thepayment unit 120 comprises a separate device that is communicativelycoupled with the control panel 110.

Once the correct payment is received by the payment unit 120, thedispensing of the selected product and the specified quantity begins.The control panel 110 sends control information, for example, one ormore signals via the communication channel 130, to the control unit 150associated with the bin 140 that contains the product selected by theuser. As an example, assume that the user selects a quantity of productcontained in bin 140 a. The control panel 110 sends a signal to thelocal control unit 150 a for the bin 140 a to begin the dispensingprocess. According to an embodiment, the control unit 150 is implementedas an intelligent device that runs or executes a dispensing applicationor program (e.g. implemented in software and/or firmware), whichfunctions to dispense the specified quantity of the selected productinto a container 102 (e.g. a box, a carton or a bag) for retrieval bythe user. According to an embodiment of the present invention, thecontainer 102 includes an advertising or promotional panel or section103. The advertising panel 103 provides information related to themanufacturer of the product, the owner of the machine, and/or any otherthird-party who wishes to purchase advertising.

According to another aspect, the control panel 110 is configured toallow authorized personnel to gain access to the internal equipment andcomponents of the apparatus 100 for maintenance and also to replenishproduct. The control panel 110 may also be configured to allowauthorized personnel to program or configure operation of the apparatus100. Authorized personnel gain access to secured features (for example,product descriptions) by entering a unique code on the control panel 110or by scanning or swiping a security card in the smart card reader. Thecontrol panel 110 may be implemented with a second layer of security,for example, comprising entry of a password after the security card isscanned. According to another embodiment, a specific code is required toaccess specific features of the apparatus 100. For example, anauthorized person enters a security code “XXXX” which corresponds to aconfiguration routine that allows the authorized person to re-configurewhich product is associated in which bin 140. As a further example, anauthorized person may enter a security code “YYYY” which corresponds toa price adjustment routine that allows the authorized person tore-program the cost per unit of weight for some or all of the productbins 140.

According to an embodiment, the interfacing application 112 isimplemented to interact with the mechanical components or modules of theapparatus 100 and to perform certain computational, encryption and errorchecking algorithms, for example, as described in more detail below.

Reference is next made to FIG. 2, which shows in flowchart form a seriesof steps 200 performed or executed by the interfacing application 112(FIG. 1) for a user, e.g. a customer or consumer, according to anembodiment of the present invention. The first operation indicated bystep 210 comprises displaying a language selection option for thecustomer. Depending on the application of the apparatus 100, thelanguage selection option may be omitted. Once the customer selects thedesired language, the interfacing application determines the text forthe remainder of the transaction, as indicated by step 220.

The next operation at step 230 comprises prompting the customer to enteror swipe a smart card. Other forms of payment, e.g. cash based orcashless, may be accepted as described in more detail below. Inaddition, this step can be executed later during the transaction. Oncethe card is entered, the next operation involves calculating the valueremaining on the card as indicated at step 240, and optionallypresenting the remaining value to the customer, for example, at step250. As shown, step 250 comprises displaying the products available tothe customer and the corresponding selection number. Step 250 may alsoinclude prompting the customer to make a selection. According to anotherembodiment, step 250 may also indicate the amount of product in dollarsand/or weight that is remaining in each bin and/or different pricepoints for different volumes/quantities of product. According to anembodiment, the control panel 110 includes a display module, forexample, a LCD module or touch-screen, which allows the information tobe displayed in a formatted fashion and/or graphical manner or form.

Once the customer selects a product to dispense, the interfacingapplication 112 is configured (for example, in a software/firmwarefunction, routine, object or code component) to prompt the customer toconfirm the selection at step 260. The customer is presented with theoptions of “yes”, “no” and “cancel” as indicated by decision step 270.If the customer selects “cancel” the transaction is terminated and thesmart card is ejected, as indicated by 272. If the customer selects “no”then the interfacing application proceeds back to step 250. If thecustomer selects “yes” then the interfacing application 112 proceeds tostep 280, where the user is prompted to select the quantity of theselected product desired in either currency or weight. It will beappreciated that according to another embodiment, the customer isprovided with the capability to specify the number of items or productcount, for example, 10 metal washers or 15 bolts, or volume, forexample, 100 grams, or dollar value, for example, $5 worth of product.Once the customer selects the specified quantity, e.g. by weight or costin step 280, the customer is prompted to place a container 102 (FIG. 1)under the bin 140 for the selected product, or according to anotherembodiment the container 102 is automatically placed or dropped inplace, and the interfacing application 112 issues the dispensingcommand(s) or signal(s) to the bin to dispense the product according toweight (as indicated by step 290) or according to cost (as indicated bystep 292). According to another embodiment, the vending apparatus 100includes a mechanism for dropping or placing a container 102 under thebin 140 holding the product selected by the customer.

The following example further illustrates operation of the vendingapparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. It will beappreciated that the “screen dialogue” may be customized or tailored foreach and different types of operating environments or applications.

Exemplary Sequence for a Product Purchase (English)

-   Opening Display For: English press1: Spanish press 2.-   Step 1 Display (English) Welcome to the ABC bulk purchase system.    Before making your bulk product selection, please purchase a    customer “smart card” from the card dispenser located on the side of    this fixture. If you have already purchased a smart card and there    is value remaining on the card please touch the start button when    you are ready to purchase.-   Step 2 Display Please insert your customer smart card into the card    slot as noted below.-   (Picture is displayed to show how to insert card)-   Machine Decision You have $8.49 of product purchases available on    this card.-   Step 3 Display The list of products available on this machine and    the bin selection numbers are shown below. When you are ready to    make a purchase, please key the product number on the keypad.

tongue splashers 1 cotton candy pink 2 assorted 3 lightning bolts 4pineapple 5 ice cream 6 Hawaiian pineapple 7 grape fruit 8 kickedlemonade 9 blueberry 10

-   Step 4 Display The product you have chosen is grape fruit gum, is    this correct?-   Step 5 Display Yes or No or Cancel-   Step 6 Display Please indicate whether you wish to purchase your    product choice by weight or dollar value by touching the # key for    weight or the $ key for dollar value.-   Step 7 Display Please indicate the quantity of product you wish to    purchase in ounces or dollar value on the keypad (or touch screen).    Use the chart on the side of the keypad to convert pounds or grams    into ounces.-   Step 8 Display Your product selection is to purchase 8 ounces of    grape fruit gum. Is this correct? Touch Yes or No or Cancel on the    keypad.-   Step 11 Display Your purchase is now ready to be dispensed. Please    take a product box located on the side of the keypad and slide it    underneath the product chute of the product bin you have purchased.    Open the door of the product bin and the product will dispense into    the box automatically. Thank you for using ABC smart card to make    your product purchase. You have $xx.xx of product purchase on your    smart card. Please come again.

Reference is next made to FIG. 3, which shows in diagrammatic form a binwith a dispensing mechanism 300 according to an embodiment of theinvention. The bin 300 contains a product indicated by reference 302. Asshown, the bin 300 includes an associated control unit 310. The controlunit 310 corresponds to the control unit 150 described above withreference to FIG. 1, and is communicatively coupled to the communicationchannel 130. The bin 300 comprises a housing 320, a dispensing mechanism330, a guide 340, a load cell 350 and a chute 360. The housing 320 maybe formed or fabricated from different materials such as metal, plasticor ceramic, and the selection of material will depend on the type ofproducts that are to be held in the bin 300. According to an embodiment,the bin 300 includes a sealing mechanism 370 which provides a seal toprevent contamination of the bulk product 302 contained in the bin 300.According to an embodiment, the sealing mechanism 370 is secured and canonly be opened by authorized personnel to replenish produce or toperform maintenance. According to an embodiment, a sensor 372 isprovided to indicate if sealing mechanism 370 is properly engaged. Ifthe sensor 372 indicates a sealing failure or breach, then interfacingapplication 112 prevents purchases or dispensing of product from the bin300.

The control unit 320 is activated by a start signal sent by theinterfacing application 112 (FIG. 1) in response to an input on thecontrol panel 110 (FIG. 1). According to an embodiment, the start signalcomprises a message identifying the bin associated with the productselected by the customer and including the quantity of product specifiedby the customer. In response, the control unit 320 runs or executes adispensing application 322. The control unit 320 may be implemented as amicroprocessor-based device operating under stored program to performthe operations and functions associated with the dispensing process asdescribed. The specific implementation details of the control unit 320are readily within the understanding of one skilled in the art.

According to an embodiment, the dispensing mechanism 330 comprises amotor driver 332 and a dispensing wheel 334. The dispensing mechanism330 may include an agitation mechanism indicated by reference 336. Adispensing cycle is executed as follows: the dispensing application 322enables the motor driver 332, sets the rotation direction toward theload cell 350 and commands the motor driver 332 to begin turningdispensing wheel 334 thus commencing the dispensing cycle. The guide 380is provided to direct flow of the product toward load cell 350.

During the dispensing cycle, the load cell 350 is used to measure theactual quantity of product being dispensed and this measured quantity isperiodically compared to the quantity requested by the customer. Oncethe measured quantity is the same as the requested quantity (or within adefined threshold), the dispensing application 322 reverses the rotationof the motor to stop further product being dispensed and the motordriver 332 is set to its initial position. It will be appreciated thatin the case where the amount of product being dispensed is specifiedaccording to dollar value, the processing steps are similar, except theproduct is not weighed, but dispensed in quantities relative to aspecified dollar value input by the consumer.

According to embodiment, the dispensing application 322 actuates orenables the agitation mechanism 336 during the dispensing cycle toprevent the product from sticking or clumping together. It will beappreciated that this also allows the product quantity to be moreaccurately measured and dispensed.

It will be appreciated that the bin and dispensing mechanism 300 may besold or provided as a separate unit or component. For example, aproprietor of a vending machine 100 may purchase one or more additionalbins 300 and connect then the vending machine 100 in order to expand thebulk product offerings. The architecture of the control panel 110 andcommunication bus 130 provides a control/command interface thatfacilitates expansion of the number of bins. In accordance with oneembodiment, a single control panel 110 is configured to control 128 binsvia the communication bus 130 through a control/command interfaceimplemented in firmware and/or software. According to oneimplementation, the bins 140 are individually addressable/controllablevia commands/status requests on the communication bus 130.

According to one embodiment, the communication bus is implemented usingthe CANBUS architecture. For a configuration of 128 bins 140, thecontrol/command interface for comprises the following message structuresand protocol:

1. General Message Structure:

-   -   _ID CMD DCS MSGL FV    -   where: the _ID field identifies the addressed device/board (e.g.        local controller for a bin) on the bus (one byte field)        -   the CMD field is the command in hex format (one byte field)        -   the DCS field is a Data_Carrier_Segment, and according to an            embodiment comprises eight bytes as follows 0x00 0x00 0x00            0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00        -   the MSGL field indicates the Length of Message (one byte            field)        -   the FV field comprises a Form Value of the Message (one byte            field)            According to an embodiment, the ID for the central            controller (i.e. the control panel 110) is 1000, and the            bins (i.e. the bin control unit 150) are assigned ID's            between 1 and 128. For the CANBUS implementation, the            Extended CAN format is used, which provides a 29 bit            Identifier.

2. Commands

Commands based on the general message include the following:

-   (a) Dynamic Inquiry Command for performing a dynamic inquiry of the    attached bin's comprises the following form:    -   BIN_ID 0x12 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x08 F_V    -   where: BIN ID field holds the value of the selected bin by the        customer        -   CMD field identifies the Inquiry Command, e.g. 0x12        -   Data Carrier Segment field [bytes 0 . . . 7]—reserved for            future use        -   MSGL field indicates Data Length, e.g. 0x08        -   F_V field indicates the Form Value of Message    -   In operation according to an embodiment:    -   The central controller sends the Inquiry Message to BIN_ID's        between 1 . . . 128. The BIN_ID's are incremented, then the        actual messages are sent. An attached bin replies the same        message but with the central controller's ID and as a result a        bin is considered attached. An attached bin's ID will be added        to the “Attached BIN” structure for future use by customers.-   (b) Vending Process Start Command    -   BIN_ID 0x10 0xYY 0xZZ 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x08 F_V    -   where: BIN_ID field holds the value of the selected bin by the        customer        -   CMD field identifies the Vending Start Command, e.g. 0x10        -   Data Carrier Segment[bytes 0.7]:            -   bytes [0 1] with values 0xYY and 0xZZ—represent the                number of Dollar amount translated to number of                requested vends or requested weight by the customer            -   bytes [2 . . . 7] with values 0x00 are reserved for                future use        -   MSGL field indicates Data Length, e.g. 0x08        -   F_V field indicates the Form Value of Message    -   In operation according to an embodiment:    -   The central controller signals the selected bin to start a        vending cycle for the requested dollar amount translated in        number of vends or weight.-   (c) Vending Process Stop Command    -   CCTRL_ID 0x1 10x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x08 F_V    -   where: CCTRL_ID field holds the value of the central controller        ID, e.g. fixed to 1000        -   CMD field identifies the Vending Done Command, e.g. 0x11        -   Data Carrier Segment[bytes 0 . . . 7]:            -   bytes [0 7] with values 0x00 are reserved for future use        -   MSGL field indicates Data Length, e.g. 0x08        -   F_V field indicates the Form Value of Message    -   In operation according to an embodiment:    -   The bin signals the central controller about the completion of a        successful vending cycle.-   (d) Vending Process Stop Command    -   CCTRL_ID 0x13 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x08 F_V    -   where: CCTRL_ID holds the value of the Central Control ID fixed        to 1000        -   CMD field identifies the Vending Done Command, e.g. 0x13        -   Data Carrier Segment[bytes 0 . . . 7]:            -   bytes [0 7] with values 0x00 are reserved for future use        -   MSGL field indicates Data Length, e.g. 0x08        -   F_V field indicates Form Value of Message    -   In operation according to an embodiment:    -   Should an error occur during the vending cycle the bin (i.e. bin        controller) sends an error to the central controller. The        central controller will remove the signaling bin from the        “Attached BIN” structure in order to avoid its further use until        the error condition of the bin is rectified by a service person.

Reference is next made to FIGS. 4A to 4C, which shows a control processexecuted or performed by the control panel 110 (FIG. 1), i.e. thecontroller executed a computer program or firmware stored in memory,according to an embodiment of the invention and indicated generally byreference 400.

As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, in response to a system boot (e.g. power on,or hard reset) in step 401, the process proceeds to read the bins, i.e.to determine the number of bins 140 (FIG. 1) coupled to thecommunication bus 130 (FIG. 1), as indicated by step 402. According toone embodiment, the controller in the control panel 110 (FIG. 1) pollsthe bins 140 and waits for a reply from the respective control units 150(FIG. 1). Next as indicated by step 404, the controller displays a‘welcome screen’ on the display module of the control panel 110, andwaits for a user entry in step 406. In response to a user entry, thecontroller determines if the entry is for programming or a purchase(i.e. in a commercial application) in decision step 408. If the input isa programming input, e.g. from an authorized technician, the controllerexecutes one or more programming or setup functions as indicatedgenerally by step 410. If the input is for a purchase, the controllerdisplays an insert card prompt in step 412. According to an embodiment,the controller activates a timer in step 414 and a timeout is generatedin step 416 if the user doesn't insert a card within a predeterminedtime period. If a timeout is generated, the welcome screen is displayedin step 404. Otherwise the controller displays a ‘select bin’ displayfor the user in step 418, activates a timer in step 420 and waits for auser entry in step 422. If the user does not select a bin before thetimer period expires, then control returns to the welcome screen in step404. If the user selects a bin within the predetermined time period, thecontroller displays an ‘enter purchase $ amount’ display in step 426 andactivates a timer in step 428 for a user entry in step 430. If thepurchase amount is not entered before the timer times out as indicatedin step 432, then control returns to the welcome screen in step 404. Ifthe purchase amount is entered in time, as determined in step 432, thena check is made in step 434 to determine if the card is inserted. If thecard is not inserted, then control returns to the welcome screen in step404. If the card (e.g. a smart card, a debit card or a credit card) isinserted, then the card is charged in step 436 and a vending command ormessage is sent to the control unit 150 (FIG. 1) for the selected bin140 (FIG. 1) over the communication bus 130 (FIG. 1) as indicated instep 438. According to an embodiment, a timer is activated in step 440for timing the vending process. If the vending process is not completedbefore the timer times out, as determined in step 442, then an errorcondition is generated. As shown, the selected bin is disabled and thepurchase amount is refunded to the user in step 444 and a vending erroris displayed in step 446. A ‘good bye’ screen may also be displayed instep 450. If the vending process is completed within the predeterminedperiod of time, then a vending confirmation is displayed in step 448together with the remaining units. Step 448 is followed by the ‘goodbye’ screen in step 450, and then the welcome screen in step 404.

Reference is next made to FIGS. 5A to 5C, which shows a control processexecuted or performed by the control unit 150 (FIG. 1) according to anembodiment of the invention and indicated generally by reference 500.For example, the control unit 150 may be implemented as a microprocessoror microcontroller operating under stored program control, e.g. firmwareor software.

As shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C, in response to a system boot (e.g. power on,or hard reset) in step 501, the control unit 150 reads the command fromthe communication bus 130 (FIG. 1) sent by the controller in the controlpanel 110 (FIG. 1) in step 502 and checks if the associated bin 140(FIG. 1) is attached or connected in step 504 If the bin 140 is notattached, the control unit 150 sends a message via the communication bus130 to the control panel 110. If the bin 140 is attached, then a checkis made in step 508 to determine if the bin 140 is enabled. If the bin140 is not enabled, then the control unit 150 sends a message to thecontrol panel (step 506) via the communication bus 130. If the bin 140is enabled, then the control unit 150 checks if boxes are available asindicated by step 510. If boxes are not available, then the control unit150 sends a message to the control panel (step 506) via thecommunication bus 130. If boxes are available, then the control unit 150dispenses (e.g. releases) a box in step 512 and a check may be made instep 514 to determine if the box was successfully dispensed. Next instep 516, the control unit 150 reads the number of requested cycles.According to one embodiment, the quantity of product to be dispensed ismeasured in terms of cycles. Next in step 518, the control unit 150commences a dispensing cycle by enabling the driver (i.e. the motordriver 332 in FIG. 3) and starting the motor rotating, for example, in acounter clockwise direction. The control unit 150 starts a timer in step520 which provides a time-base for the dispensing cycle. An errorcondition is generated in step 524 if a limit switch is not reachedbefore the timer times out, as determined in step 522. In response tothe error condition, the control unit 150 sends an error message to thecontrol panel 110 via the communication bus 130 in step 534 and theprocess is terminated with an error in step 536. If the limit switch isactivated before the time-out, then the control unit 150 stops the motorin step 526, and a check is made in step 528 to determine if the numberof cycles completed corresponds to the number of requested cycles. Ifnot, the number of cycles completed is incremented in step 530 and theoperations associated with steps 518 to 528 as described above arerepeated. If the number of completed cycles corresponds to the number ofrequested cycles, then the control unit 150 disables the motor driver332 in step 530 and confirms the vending (or dispensing) operation instep 532, for example, by sending a message to the control panel 110 viathe communication bus 130.

Reference is next made to FIG. 6, which shows in diagrammatic form apayment system for the system 100 according to an embodiment of theinvention. According to an embodiment, the payment system comprises asmart card payment interface and a direct payment interface. In thecontext of the present description, a smart card comprises anyprogrammable card that has product inventory value (for example, storedin memory) for acquiring product from the system 100. Direct payment, onthe other hand, comprises payment from a credit card or a debit card, orpayment using cash or tokens. The tokens may be purchased from a tokenmachine connected to the system 100 or a token machine associated withthe use of the system 100. The direct payment interface may be furtherdivided into cash mode and cashless payment mode. Cash mode utilizescash payment in the form of coins and/or bills. Cashless mode comprisespayment using credit cards, debit cards, and/or tokens.

As described above, the control panel 110 (FIG. 1) includes a displaywith a keypad or a touch screen, indicated by reference 610 in FIG. 6.According to this aspect, the display/keypad 610 guides a user (e.g. acustomer) through payment process choices or options, for example, asmart card purchase or a direct payment purchase. For direct paymentfrom a credit card or debit card, the user's credit card or debit cardis charged prior to the vending process. For a smart card purchase, thepurchase amount is taken directly from the user's smart card. Thebalance on the smart card is determined before the transaction and thenupdated after the purchase.

According to an embodiment the smart cards are purchased from a kiosk oran independent vendor with cash, credit card, debit card or tokens.According to another embodiment, the system includes an optional smartcard interface indicated by reference 620 in FIG. 6. The smart cardinterface 620 programs or writes an inventory value amount to a smartcard and dispenses the smart card to the user. The smart card ‘purchase’may be charged to a user's credit card or other account. According toanother aspect, the system, through the smart card reader interface 620,reads and displays the amount of credit or purchase value remaining onthe card.

Reference is next made to FIG. 7, which shows in schematic form adispensing apparatus according to another embodiment of the presentinvention and indicated generally by reference 700. According to oneaspect, the dispensing apparatus 700 is intended for interfacing and/orfunctioning with third-party bin arrangement or configuration, asopposed to an integrated system, for example, as described above withreference to FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. For theexemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 7, the third-party bin arrangementis indicated generally by reference 740.

As shown in FIG. 7, the dispensing apparatus 700 comprises a userinterface control unit 710 and a system controller 720. The userinterface control unit 710 is coupled to the system controller 720 via acontrol signal bus 730. According to an embodiment, the control signalbus 730 is implemented using a CANBUS configuration, for example, asdescribed in more detail above. For the example depicted in FIG. 7, thethird-party bin arrangement is indicated generally by reference 702, andcomprises a first group of motors 744 (indicated individually byreferences 744-1 to 744-8) and bins 746 (indicated individually byreferences 746-1 to 746-8) and a second group of motors 744 (indicatedindividually by references 744-9 to 744-16) and bins 746 (indicatedindividually by references 746-9 to 746-16). The bins 746-1 to 746-8 andthe motors 744-1 to 744-8 include an associated motor controllerindicated by reference 742 a. Similarly, the bins 746-9 to 746-16 andthe motors 744-9 to 744-16 include an associated motor controller 742 b.As shown, a bus 750 (for example, a serial bus configuration) coupleseach of the motor controllers 742 a and 742 b to the system controller720. For the exemplary configuration depicted in FIG. 7, each of themotor controllers 742 a, 742 b controls eight (8) motors 744,respectively, indicated individually as 744-1 to 744-8 and 744-9 to744-16. It will be appreciated that the number of motor controllers 742and/or individual motors 744 can be expanded or comprise otherconfigurations or arrangements. According to an embodiment, the motors744 comprise servo motors, and each motor is operatively coupled to adispensing mechanism on the bin 746 and response to control signals fromthe motor controller 742, the motor 744 actuates the dispensingmechanism to dispense product from the bin 746. A dispensing mechanismaccording to an embodiment of the invention is described in more detailbelow.

As also shown in FIG. 7, a container dispenser 760, i.e. a cup dropper,is provided to work with the third-party apparatus 702. A containerdispenser or cup dropper according to an embodiment of the invention isdescribed in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. The cupdropper 760 is operatively coupled to the system controller 720 and thesystem controller 720 is configured, for example, in software orfirmware, to generate control signals to control the operation andfunctions associated with the cup dropper 760. In the context of thepresent description, the third-party dispensing apparatus 702 utilizes asingle cup dropper 760 which is configured to provide cups or containers(indicated by reference 762 in FIG. 7) for all of the product bins 746,and is operatively coupled to the output of each of bin 746 in knownmanner, for example, using a chute or piping arrangement (indicatedgenerally by reference 770 in FIG. 7) which carries product releasedfrom the bin 746 to a chute (indicated by reference 772 in FIG. 7) thatreleases the product into the dropped cup or container 764. A containerdispenser, i.e. cup dropper, 760 according to an embodiment of theinvention is described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 9and 10.

According to an embodiment, the user interface control unit 710 includesa programmable controller device, for example, a microprocessor ormicrocontroller, and is configured to operate under the control ofsoftware and/or firmware to provide the user interface functions andoperability, for example, as described above.

In accordance with a CANBUS implementation for the control signal bus730, the user interface control unit 710 is configured to generate andsend a vend signal (i.e. command) to the system controller 720. The vendcommand comprises an identifier or ID field and a bin number field (i.e.corresponding to the selected product). The system controller 720 isconfigured to receive the vend command and decode the vend command togenerate a signal to actuate the cup dropper 760 to drop a cup orcontainer 762 for receiving the product. The system controller 720 isalso configured to generate one or more actuation commands forcontrolling the functioning of the motor controller(s) 742 associatedwith the product or products to be dispensed. According to anembodiment, the actuation command comprises five (5) or six (6) bytesand is transmitted via the serial bus 750 to each of the motorcontrollers 742. The actuation command comprises the following format:

-   -   first byte—comprises a synchronization byte which is the same        for all messages, and according to an implementation comprises        0x80    -   second byte—identifies the type of controller, and according to        an implementation comprises 0x01    -   third byte—comprises a command byte which provides an operation        instruction for the motor controller    -   fourth byte—identifies the motor associated with the bin        container for the selected product; and according to an        embodiment is configured to select 128 motors/bins, i.e. 0 to        128    -   fifth & sixth bytes—contains data for the motor controller to        control the selected motor; according to an embodiment, the data        includes motor speed, range and position        According to an embodiment and as described above, each of the        motor controllers 742 is configured to control eight (8) motors        744 and the bin 746 associated with the respective motor 744.        The motor controllers 742 are configured to receive commands        from the system controller 720 via the communication bus (i.e.        serial bus) 750 and generate control signals to control the        operation of the associate motor 744 in the actuation of the bin        746. According to an embodiment, the control signal generated by        the motor controller 742 comprises a pulse width modulated (PWM)        activation signal. In response to the activation signal, the        motor 744 (e.g. servo motor) opens and closes the dispensing        mechanism in the bin 746. According to an embodiment, each        opening and closing of the dispensing mechanism by the motor 744        comprises a dispensing cycle and result in a measure amount or        volume of a product being dispensed or released from the bin        746. According to another embodiment, the motor 744 is        configured under the control of the motor controller 742 to        actuate the dispensing mechanism and dispense product based on a        time-interval. According to another embodiment, the dispensing        apparatus is configured with a measurement device and motor 744        is configured under the control of the motor controller 742 to        actuate the dispensing mechanism to dispense product on the        basis of weight, volume, product count, or some other measured        parameter.

Reference is next made to FIG. 8, which shows a dispensing mechanismaccording to an embodiment of the invention. The dispensing mechanism isindicated by reference 810 and is operatively coupled to a bin indicatedby reference 830. The bin 830 holds product 832 to be dispensed and isconfigured as a “gravity-fed” bin and comprises a sloped or angled plateor bottom 834. The dispensing mechanism 810 comprises a dispensingmember 812 is coupled through a pivotable or ball link 814 to anactuator rod 824. The dispensing member 812 is movable between a closedposition (as shown in FIG. 8) and an open position in response tomovement of the actuator rod 824. In the closed position, the dispensingmember 812 prevents product 832 from being released, i.e. dispensed,from the bin 830. In the open position, the dispensing member 812 allowsproduct 833 to be dispensed from the bin 830. The product 833 may bereleased directly into a container or routed to a dispensing chutepositioned away from the bin 830.

According to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8, the actuation rod 824 isactuated by a servo motor 820 (i.e. corresponding to the motor 744depicted in FIG. 7). As shown, the servo motor 820 includes a spindle822 which is coupled to an arm 826, and one end of the arm 826 iscoupled or connected to the other end of the actuator rod 824 throughpivotable or ball link indicated by reference 828. In operation, theservo motor 820 responds to control signals (i.e. from the associatedmotor controller 742 in FIG. 7) to move the spindle 822 and the arm 826between an open and a closed position. The movement of the spindle 822is transferred to the actuator rod 824 through the link 828 and thedispensing member 812 is moved between the open and closed positions.According to another embodiment, a linear actuating device (not shown)is used in place of the servo motor 820 to move the dispensing member812 between the open and closed positions.

Reference is next made to FIGS. 9( a) and 9(b), which show a containeror cup dropper mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention andindicated generally by reference 900. The container mechanism 900 isconfigured to drop containers, e.g. cups, for catching or holdingproduct dispensed from one or more of the bins. For example, the cupdropper 760 in FIG. 7 may be implemented with the container droppermechanism 900.

As shown in FIGS. 9( a) and 9(b), the container dropper mechanism 900comprises a top plate or member 910, a bottom plate or member 920, firstand second augers 930 (indicated individually by reference 930 a and 930b), and a motor 940. The augers 930 are operatively coupled to the motor940 by a belt 950 and are turned when the spindle of the motor 940 movesthe belt 950. As shown, the container dropper mechanism 900 includes abelt tension device or mechanism 960 for controlling the tension in thebelt 950.

As shown in FIG. 9( a), the top plate 910 includes an opening indicatedby reference 912. The opening 912 receives the containers, i.e. thecontainers are loaded or stacked vertically into the opening 912. Forround cups or containers, the opening 912 has a corresponding roundshape. As shown, each of the augers 930 a and 930 b slightly protrudeinto the opening 912 of the top plate 910. An auger according to anembodiment of the present invention is described in more detail belowwith reference to FIGS. 10( a) to 10(d). Each of the augers 930 includesa spiral threaded portion 1020 (FIG. 10) which catches the rim of acontainer. According to another aspect, the auger 930 includes a threadspacing 1021 (FIGS. 10( b), 10(c)) which substantially matches the gapbetween the containers in the stack. The augers 930 are turned by themotor 940 and the belt 950 (for example, in response to a ‘dropcontainer’ command issued by the system controller 720 (FIG. 7)), andthe threaded portion 1020 of the augers 930 catches or grabs the rim ofthe container and feeds (or pulls) the container down through theopening 912 and the container is released once the rim passes thethreaded portion.

According to an embodiment, the belt 950 comprises a ‘toothed’ timingbelt and is synchronized to turn the augers 930. According to anotherembodiment, the augers 930 are turned by another type of mechanism, forexample, a linear actuator. According to another embodiment, the augers930 are manually actuated, for example, by a handle or a plungermechanism.

Reference is next made to FIGS. 10( a) to 10(d), which show an auger1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, theauger 1000 comprises a spindle or shaft 1010 and a threaded portion1020. The threaded portion 1020 comprises a spiral thread 1022. Thespiral thread 1022 has a spacing or pitch 1024 which is based on thethickness or size of the rim on the containers. As the augers 1000 arerotated (for example, as described above with reference to FIG. 9), thecontainer at the bottom of the stack reaches the bottom or end of thespiral thread 1022, as indicated by reference 1023 in FIG. 10( b), andthe rim is no longer engaged thereby allowing the container to fall fromthe dispenser.

According to another aspect, the bottom or final thread 1026 on theauger 1000 is configured with an increased curvature or slope indicatedby reference 1028. The increased curvature or slope 1028 functions toovercome the attractive force between the bottom container and the othercontainers in the stack. In operation, as the auger 1000 is turned, theincreased curve '028 along the bottom edge of the bottom or final thread1026 functions as a wedge between the bottom container and thesecond-last container which is still restricted or engaged by the spiralthread 1022 in the auger 1000.

According to an embodiment, one container is dispensed or released foreach rotation of the augers 1000. According to another embodiment, asensor may be configured to provide an output signal to the motorcontroller indicating a complete rotation of the auger 1000. Accordingto another aspect, the length of the treaded portion 1020 may beadjusted to vary the number of cups or containers that are engaged bythe augers 930.

Reference is next made to FIGS. 11 and 12, which show a dispensing wheelaccording to an embodiment of the invention and indicated generally byreference 1100. The dispensing wheel 1100 is configured to rotate anddispense product carried in one or more compartments in the wheel 1100.According to an embodiment, the compartments in the dispensing wheel1100 are configurable. The dispensing wheel 1100 may be used inconjunction with a bin configuration, for example, as described belowwith reference to FIG. 13.

As shown in FIG. 11, the dispensing wheel 1100 comprises an outer oroutside rim 1110 and a hub 1120. The rim 1110 is connected or coupled tothe hub 1120 by a pair of members indicated generally by reference 1130.The dispensing wheel 1100 is configurable into multiple compartmentswith the use of one or more partitions 1140. As shown in FIG. 11( a),the dispensing wheel 110 is configured with three compartments,indicated by references 1150 a, 1150 b and 1150 c, respectively. Byremoving the partition 1140, the dispensing wheel 110 is configured withtwo partitions. Or with the addition of two or more partitions 1140, thedispensing wheel 1100 is configured with multiple compartments.

The dispensing wheel 1100 is mounted on a shaft 1170 (FIG. 11( b)) andpositioned between a top plate 1200 (as shown in FIG. 12( a)) and abottom plate 1250 (as shown in FIG. 12( b)). The shaft 1170 includes oneor two keys 1172, which lock the dispensing wheel 1100 on the shaft 1170and allow the rotational force applied to the shaft 1170 to betransferred to the dispensing wheel 1100. The rotational force for theshaft 1170 is generated by a motor (not shown) which can be controlledin a manner as described above. As shown in FIG. 12( a), the top plate1200 includes an opening 1210 which generally corresponds to thedispensing wheel 1100. The top plate 1200 allows product to be fed intothe compartment(s) on the dispensing wheel 1100, typically through theforce of gravity (for example, as described in more detail below withreference to FIG. 13). When a compartment is filled, the product stopsflowing into the compartment, and as the dispensing wheel 1100 turnsproduct from the bin enters the other compartments 1150. The top plate1200 also includes a partition access slot 1220. The partition accessslot 1220 allows one or more partitions or dividers 1140 (FIG. 11( b))to be inserted into the dispensing wheel 110 to define or configuremultiple compartments 1150 (FIG. 11( a)). As shown in FIG. 12( b), thebottom plate 1250 includes an opening 1260, which is configured to allowproduct captured in or more compartments 1150 in the dispensing wheel110 to be released or dispensed directly into a container or onto achute coupled to a container or some other form of product handlingdevice or mechanism.

As shown in FIGS. 11( a) and 11(b), the outer rim 1110 and the hub 1120are configured with corresponding slots or grooves indicated byreferences 1112 and 1122, respectively. As shown in FIG. 11( d), each ofthe partitions 1140 comprises a rim engaging end 1142, a hub engagingend 1144, and a divider section 1146. The rim engaging end 1142 isconfigured to lock or snap-fit into one of the slots 1112 on the rim1110. Similarly, the hub engaging end 1144 is configured to lock orsnap-fit into one of the slots 1122 on the hub 1120. For example and asdepicted in FIG. 11( b), the partition 1140 is inserted into rim slot1112 a and hub slot 1122 a to form the compartments 1150 b and 1150 c.The partitions 1140 are further secured in place by the close proximityof the top plate 1200 (FIG. 12( a)) and the bottom plate 1250 (FIG. 12(b)). As described above, the partition access slot 1220 in the top plate1200 (FIG. 12(a)) allows for the insertion and removal of individualpartitions 1140 from the dispensing wheel 1100.

Referring again to FIG. 11( d), the partition 1140 may include accordingto an embodiment a tab indicated by reference 1148. The tab 1148 extendsthrough the slot 1112 in the outer rim 1110 as indicated by reference1160 in FIGS. 11( a) and 11(b). The tab 1148 is configured to actuate alimit switch (not shown) coupled to the system controller 720 (FIG. 7)and thereby provide a signal indicating the position of the dispensingwheel 1100, which may be used to control the stopping of themotor/dispensing wheel 1100 for each dispensed portion of product.

Reference is next made to FIGS. 13( a) to 13(c), which show a baffleconfiguration for a product bin according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. The baffle configuration is indicated generally byreference 1300 and comprises a primary baffle 1310 and a secondarybaffle 1320. The embodiment depicted in FIG. 13 is configured for arectangular bin that holds a bulk product. The primary baffle 1310 holdsmost of the weight of the bulk product contained in the bin and is heldin place by cross-members or support members 1340 a, 1340 b and 1340 c.As the primary baffle 1310 holds most of the bulk product, excessiveweighting of the dispensing wheel 1100 (and the resultant friction whichcan impede or jam/prevent the turning of the wheel) is alleviated. Thecross-members 1340 also serve to transfer weight of the bulk productfrom the primary baffle 1310 to the bin structure.

As shown in FIG. 13( b), the arrangement of the primary baffle 1310, thesecondary baffle 1320 and the cross-members 1340 a and 1340 b form acompartment or chamber 1330 for receiving bulk product from the maincompartment of the bin. As shown in FIGS. 13( b) and 13(c), the primarybaffle 1310 includes a cut-out or opening indicated by reference 1312.The cut-out 1312 is sufficiently large enough so that product can freelyflow down the slope of the primary baffle 1310 and the secondary baffle1320 and fall into the chamber 1330. As also shown in FIG. 13( b), thecompartment 1330 includes an opening 1340 which allows product to bereleased to a dispensing mechanism. According to an embodiment, thebaffle configuration 1300 is configured with a dispensing wheel 1100 asdescribed above (FIG. 11), and the opening 1340 is aligned with theopening 1210 in the top plate 1200 (FIG. 12).

According to an embodiment, the primary baffle 1310 is configured at anangle of approximately 15 degrees, and the secondary baffle 1320 isconfigured at an angle of approximately 24 degrees. The slope of thesecondary baffle 1320 directs the product toward the opening 1340 (i.e.dispensing wheel) so that the product does not get stuck on the bottomsurface or ledge in the compartment 1330. According to another aspect, asweep (for example, vertically mounted springs) may be provided abovethe dispensing mechanism to prevent the collection of excessive product.

According to another aspect, the primary baffle 1310, the secondarybaffle 1320 and/or cross-members 1340 are configured to be detachableand/or removable to facilitate dismantling and/or cleaning.

While embodiments of the present invention are described in the contextof dispensing and/or vending bulk candy products (e.g. unwrapped candy,wrapped candy, mini-chocolate bars, etc.), it is to be appreciated thatthe apparatus and methods according to the present invention comprisethe dispensing and/or vending of other types bulk products, including,pet food, coffee, pasta, nuts, fasteners, such as bolts, nuts, screws,electrical connectors, nails, hardware items, such as washers, etc, toyballs, toy cars, etc. In accordance with an embodiment, the apparatusand methods according to the present invention are suitable fordispensing and/or vending bulk goods having an individual piece sizesranging from approximately 0.1 cubic inch to approximately 12 cubicinches. According to one embodiment, bulk products are purchased,dispensed or otherwise acquired based on weight. According to anotherembodiment, bulk products are purchased, dispensed or otherwise acquiredbased on volume. According to another aspect, the price point forpurchases of a bulk product is set according to the quantity or volumebeing purchased. For example, machine screws can be priced at$0.20/screw for quantities of 1 to 10, and priced at $0.18/screw forquantities of 11 to 20.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Certainadaptations and modifications will be obvious to those skilled in theart. Therefore, the presently discussed embodiments are considered to beillustrative and not restrictive.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for dispensing a bulk product, saidsystem comprising: one or more bins, each for holding a bulk product; aninterface for receiving a user request for one of said bulk products; acontroller for dispensing the requested bulk product from the associatedbin in an amount based on said user request.
 2. The system as claimed inclaim 1, further including a payment interface for accepting paymentfrom the user.
 3. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said paymentinterface includes a card reader for accepting a card and said cardstoring a credit value for making one or more acquisitions of said bulkproducts up to the credit value stored on said card.
 4. A method fordispensing bulk products from one or more bins, said method comprisingthe steps of: receiving a bulk product selection from a user; receivinga bulk product dispensing amount from the user; enabling the bincontaining the selected bulk product; and dispensing the selected bulkproduct from the enabled bin in the amount specified by the user.
 5. Themethod as claimed in claim 4, further including the step of receiving apayment from the user prior to dispensing the selected bulk product. 6.The method as claimed in claim 5, further including the step of settinga price for the selected bulk product based on the amount specified bythe user.
 7. A system for dispensing a bulk product, said systemcomprising: a controller, said controller including a user interface;one or more bins, each for holding a type of bulk product, and each ofsaid bins including a control unit; a communication bus forcommunicatively coupling said controller with the control units of eachof said bins; said controller being responsive to an input from a userand generating one or more control commands for dispensing an amount ofbulk product from one of said bins, wherein said dispensed amount isbased on the user input.
 8. An apparatus for dispensing one or more bulkproducts, said bulk products being contained in one or more bins, eachof the bins including a dispensing mechanism and the dispensingmechanism being operatively coupled to a controller, said apparatuscomprising: an interface configured for receiving a user request for oneof the bulk products and generating one or more signals representativeof said user request; a control unit operatively coupled to saidinterface for receiving said one or more representative signals, andsaid control unit being configured for generating one or more controlssignals based on said one or more representative signals; said controlunit including an interface for operatively coupling to the one or morecontrollers and being configured for sending one or more control signalsto one or more of the controllers; and the one or more controllers beingresponsive to said one or more control signals to dispense the bulkproduct from the bin based on said user request.
 9. The apparatus asclaimed in claim 8, further including a container dropper comprising anopening for receiving one or more containers, at least one augercomponent positioned adjacent to said opening and including a threadedportion for engaging said one or more containers, a motor operativelycoupled to said at least one auger, and said motor being configured forturning said auger in response to one or more container dropper controlsignals received from said control unit.
 10. The apparatus as claimed inclaim 9, wherein the threaded portion of said auger includes a lowerthread, and said lower thread includes a relief portion to facilitaterelease of said containers.
 11. A bin for holding a bulk product andsuitable for use with a dispensing apparatus, said bin comprising: ahousing; a primary baffle for supporting the bulk product, said primarybaffle being mounted inside said housing, said primary baffle beingconfigured at a downwardly sloping angle, and having an opening at alower portion; a secondary baffle mounted inside said housing, saidsecondary baffle being configured at a downwardly sloping angle andadjacent to said opening; and a lower compartment adjacent saidsecondary baffle, said lower compartment having an opening for releasingbulk product from said secondary baffle to a dispensing mechanism. 12.The bin as claimed in claim 11, further including a cross-member forsupporting said primary baffle and transferring the weight of the bulkproduct to said housing.
 13. The bin as claimed in claim 11, whereinsaid dispensing mechanism comprises a dispensing wheel, said dispensingwheel having one or more compartments receiving and holding a portion ofthe bulk product.
 14. The bin as claimed in claim 11, wherein saiddispensing mechanism comprises a dispensing member operatively coupledto an actuator, said actuator being configured to be responsive to oneor more control signals to move said dispensing member between an openposition and a closed position.
 15. The bin as claimed in claim 14,wherein said actuator comprises one of a servo motor and a linearactuator.
 16. A dispensing wheel for use with a bulk product dispensingapparatus, said dispensing wheel comprising: an outer rim; alongitudinal member spanning across the rim and including a hub; saidouter rim having a plurality of slots for receiving one end of apartition member; and said hub having a plurality of slots for receivinganother end of said partition member.
 17. The dispensing wheel asclaimed in claim 16 further including one or more of said partitionmembers, each of said partition members being mounted in correspondingslots on said hub and said outer rim, and each of said mounted partitionmembers defining a compartment for receiving bulk product.
 18. Thedispensing wheel as claimed in claim 16, wherein the end of saidpartition member includes a tab, said tab extending beyond the slot insaid outer rim and providing an actuator for a limit switch.
 19. Thedispensing wheel as claimed in claim 17, wherein said longitudinalmember comprises first and second spoke members.
 20. A container droppersuitable for use with a bulk product dispensing apparatus, saidcontainer dropper comprising: a first member having an opening forreceiving one or more containers; a second member, and said secondmember supporting at least one auger component positioned adjacent tosaid opening; said at least one auger component including a threadedportion for engaging said one or more containers; and a motoroperatively coupled to said at least one auger, and said motor beingconfigured for turning said auger in response to one or more containerdropper control signals.
 21. The apparatus as claimed in claim 20,wherein the threaded portion of said auger includes a lower thread, andsaid lower thread includes a relief portion to facilitate release ofsaid containers.
 22. The apparatus as claimed in claimed in claim 21,wherein said at least one auger comprises a first auger and a secondauger, and said first and said second augers being positionedsubstantially opposite each other and adjacent said opening.